critical angle

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: critical angles

Antonyms: critical angles

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

1. {{lb|en|optics}} The [[angle of incidence]] beyond which [[light]] traveling through a [[medium]] experiences [[total internal reflection]] upon [[encounter]]ing a [[boundary]] with a less [[refractive]] medium.
2. {{lb|en|aviation}} The [[angle of attack]] beyond which an [[airfoil]] [[stall]]s, experiencing a decrease in [[lift]] and increase in [[drag]] due to [[separation]] of [[airflow]] from the upper surface of the airfoil.
3. {{lb|en|architecture}} The angle beyond which a [[ramp]] or a set of [[stair]]s is considered [[uncomfortable]] or [[unsafe]].

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.